Retractable stirrup supporting device



May 10, 1960 E. A. WOODHEAD RETRACTABLE STIRRUP SUPPORTING DEVICE FiledSept. 9, 1958 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United tates Patent RETRACTABLE STIRRUPSUPPORTING DEVICE Ebert A. Woodhead, Chino, Calif.

Application September 9, 1958, Serial No. 759,909

7 Claims. (Cl. 54-48) This invention relates to horseback ridingequipment and more particularly to a retractable stirrup supportingdevice which may be utilized in conjunction with conventional saddles toselectively support a stirrup in riding or mounting position.

As is well known, it is common practice to mount a riding horse from thelefthand side and where the stirrups are adjusted to riding position, itis necessary during mounting, for the rider to raise his left foot to arelatively high elevation in order to engage the stirrup suspended fromthe saddle and to thereafter raise his entire weight into the saddlewith little assistance from the left leg which due to the elevatedposition thereof does not materially assist in the mounting operation.This difliculty is overcome in certain instances by providing mountingblocks or platforms on which the rider stands prior to mounting butthis, of course, is only effective where such mounting blocks or standsare present or there is some other suitable support for the rider.

It is accordingly an-object of this invention to provide a retractablestirrup supporting device which may be conveniently attached to aconventional saddle and which will serve to selectively support thelefthand stirrup in riding position or in a lowered mounting position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a retractablestirrup supporting device for application to a conventional saddle andwhich by convenient manipulation may be operated to lower the lefthandstirrup to a stirrup supporting device constructed in accordance withthis invention and with the riding position of the stirrup indicated infull lines and the mounting position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 an elevational view of the stirrup supporting device shown inFig. 1 with parts broken away and in section for greater clarity andshowing the .device in riding position in full lines and in loweredmounting position in dotted lines; and

Fig. 3 a side elevational view of the device as shown in Fig. 2.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown a retractablestirrup supporting device constructed in accordance with this inventionand which may well comprise a generally rectangular elongated hollowhousing 10 constructed of sheet metal or any other suitable material,which housing is provided with front and rear walls 11 and 12 andsubstantially parallel sidewalls 13 and 14. Each sidewall 13 and 14 isprovided with an elongated slot 15 extending from a point spaceddownwardly from the upper end of the housing 10 to a point adjacent thelower end of such housing.

A block 16 closes the lower end of the housing 10 and may be attachedthereto by screw threaded or other suitable fastening means 17 and it isto be noted that the block 16 projects outwardly of the sidewalls 13 and14 of the housing 10. The lower surface 18 of the block 16 is arcuate incross section for a purpose to be later described. Spaced ears 19 and 20project outwardly from each end of the block 16 and such ears providevertically disposed channels 21, the purpose of which will be presentlydescribed.

Vertically movable sidebars 22 and 23 are slidably disposed in thechannels 21 at each end of the block 16 and convenient mounting positionand after mounting by a slight upward movement of the left toe, thestirrup will be returned upwardly to riding position and securely lockedin such position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of aretractable stirrup supporting device for attachment to a conventionalsaddle, which device may be utilized to lower the lefthand stirrup to aconvenient mounting position and after mounting, raise to a ridingposition, such upward movement to riding position being facilitated byresilient means incorporated in the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a retractablestirrup supporting device for application to a conventional saddle forselectively supporting the lefthand stirrup in a raised riding positionor in a lowered mounting position and in which locking means is providedfor securely locking the device in riding position, such locking meansbeing released to lower the device to mounting position by a simplemanual manipulation of finger engaging members.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a retractablestirrup supporting device for conventionalsaddles which may beconveniently and economically manufactured from readily availablematerials and applied to such saddle and. a conventional stirrupwithout.

modification thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

' Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing a'retractable out ofengagement with the recesses 34. i

in spaced parallel relation to the sidewalls 13 and 14 of the housing10. The lower ends of the sidebars 22 and 23 are connected by a stirrupsupporting bar 24 which may be secured to the sidebars 22 and 23 bywelding or any other suitable fastening means. A cross bar 25 isslidably disposed in the slots 15 in the sidewalls 13 and 14 of thecasing 10 and the bar 25 connects the upper ends of the sidebars 22 and23 and may be secured thereto by screw threaded or other suitablefastening means 26.

The crossbar 25 serves as a cross head and is provided with spacedapertures 27 for slidably receiving vertically disposed guide rods 28which may be screw threadedly received at their lower ends 29 in theblock 16 or may be secured thereto in any other suitable manner.Compression springs 30 are received on the guide rods 28 between theupper surface of the block 16 and the lower surface of the cross bar 25and these springs 30 serve to'urge the cross bar 25, sidebars 22 and 23and the stirrup supporting bar 24 upwardly.

Opposed bores 31 are provided in the opposite ends of the block 16 andslidably disposed in each bore 31 is a plunger 32, the inner end ofwhich is engaged by a compression spring 33 which also engages the innerend of the bore 31 and urges the plunger 32 outwardly.

The sidebars 22 and 23 are provided with opposed inwardly openingrecesses 34 which as shown in Fig. 2, serve to receive the plungers 32when in extended position to lock the sidebars 22 and 23 and the stirrupsupporting bar 24 in raised position, as shown in full lines in thedrawing. In order to facilitate disengagement of the plungers 32 fromthe recesses 34-, there may be provided plunger engaging members 35disposed in the recesses 34 in alignment with the plungers 32 and themembers 35 are attached to pins 36 slidably mounted in the sidebars 22and 23 and having finger engaging knobs 37 on their outer ends tofacilitate inward movement of the plunger engaging members 35 to movethe plungers 32 inwardly The upper end of the housing may be closed by asuitable block or other means 38 and also secured to the upper end ofthe housing 10 is a stirrup strap receiving member 39 having avertically disposed opening 40 thereinthrough which one portion 41 ofthe stirrup strap 42 may extend and as shown in Fig. 1, the portion 41of. the stirrup strap 42 passes downwardly through the aperture 40 inthe member 39 around and in engagement with the arcuate lower surface 18of the block 16 and upwardly on the opposite side of the housing 10, theupper ends of the stirrup strap 42 being connected to the saddle in aconventional manner. In order to secure the device of this invention inposition on the stirrup strap 42, there may be provided a clamp screw 43on thestrap engaging member 39, which clamp screw 43- may engagetheportion 41 of the stirrup strap 42 to securely clamp the device inplace thereon.

A conventional stirrup 4-4 is provided with a cross bar 45 connectingthe upper ends thereof and the stirrup 44 may be secured to the deviceof this invention in suspended position by a suitable strap, lacing orother suitable means 46 extending around the bar 45 and the stirrup.supporting bar 24 on the device of this invention.

As shown in full lines in the drawing, the device of this invention islocked in raised position to support the stirrup 44 in riding positionwith the plungers 32 engaging in the recesses 34 of the sidebars 22 and23 and the device will occupy this position until such time a riderdesires to mount the horse. At that time, it is only necessary for therider to depress the finger engaging knobs 37 to move the plungerengaging members 35 inwardly into engagement with the plungers 32 whichwill result in moving the plungers 32 out of engagement with therecesses 34 in the sidebars 22 and 23 and permit downward movement ofsuch sidebars, stirrup supporting bar 24 and stirrup 44 downwardlyagainst the action of compression springs 30 to a position where it isconvenient for the rider to insert his foot in the stirrup 44 and mountthe horse. Upon completing the mounting operation, it is only necesaryfor the rider to exert a slight upward force on the stirrup '44 byraising his foot which, in conjunction with the upward force exerted bythe compression spring 30, will result in moving the cross bar 25, sidebars 22 and 23, stirrup supporting bar 24 and stirrup 44 upwardly to theposition shown in full lines in the drawing, at which time the plungers32 will be forced outwardly by the springs 33 into engagement with therecesses 34 to lock the device in raised riding position.

It will be seen that by the above described invention, there has beenprovided a relatively simple, yet highly effective retractable stirrupsupporting device which may be conveniently applied to conventionalsaddles for permitting selective movement of the lefthand stirrup to amounting position and thereafter to a raised riding position therebymaterially facilitating themounting operation.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without depart ing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only asindicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A retractabe stirrup supporting device comprising a generallyrectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwalland substantially parallel sidewalls; each sidewall having an elongatedslot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projectingoutwardly of said sidewalls, the lower surface of said blockbeingarcuate in cross section for engaging a stirrup strap, spacedearsprojecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide verticallydisposed channels, a'vertically. movable sidebar slidably disposed ineach channel, a

stirrup supporting bar-connectingsthe: lower ends of said said slot andconnecting the upper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guiderods secured to said block within said housing and slidably received inapertures in said cross bar, compression springs received on saidguidebars between said block and said cross bar to urge said cross barand guide bars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the oppositeends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebarshaving opposed in wardly opening recesses for receiving said plungers tolock said side bars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position,inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in said recesses,finger engaging means on said members to facilitate movement of saidmembers inwardly to move said plungers out of said recesses and permitdownward movement of said sidebars and stirrup supporting bars tolowered position and clamp means on.the upper end of said housing'forengaging a stirrup strap to adjustably secure said device thereto.

2. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generallyrectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwalland substantially parallel sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongatedslot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projectingoutwardlyof said sidewalls, the lower surface of said block beingarcuate in cross section for engaging a stirrup strap, spaced earsprojecting outwardly from each end of said block to provide verticallydisposed channels, a vertically movable sidebar slidably disposed ineach channel, a stirrup supporting bar connecting the lower end of saidside bars below said block, a cross bar slidably disposed in said slotsand connecting the upper ends of said sidebars; vertically disposedguide rods secured to said block within said housing and slidablyreceived in apertures in said cross bar, compression springs received onsaid guidebars between said block and said cross bar to urge said crossbar and sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in theopposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, saidsidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receiving saidplungers to lock said side bars and stirrup supporting bar in raisedposition, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed insaid'recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitatemovement of said members inwardly to'move said plungers out of saidrecesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrupsupporting bar to forward position.

3. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generallyrectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwalland substantially parallel sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongatedslot, a block closing the lower end of said housing and projectingoutwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projectingoutwardly from eachend of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, avertically'movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a stirrupsupporting bar connecting the lower ends of said sidebars below eachblock, a cross bar slidably disposed in said slot and connecting theupper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guide rods secured tosaid block within said housing and slidably received in apertures insaid cross bar, compression springs received on said guide barsbetween-said block and said cross bar to urge said cross bar andsidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores in the opposite ends,a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, said sidebars havingopposed inwardly opening recesses for receivingsaid plungers to locksaid sidebars and stirrup supporting bar in raised position, inwardlymovable plunger engaging members disposed in said recesses and fingerengaging means on said members to facilitate movement of said membersinwardly to move said plungers out of said recesses and permit downwardmovement of said sidebars and stirsidebars below said block, across barslidably disposed in rup supporting bar to lowered position.

4.- A retractablestirrup. supporting device comprising a generallyrectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwalland sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closingthe lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of saidsidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said blockto provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebarslidably disposed in said chan nel, a stirrup supporting bar connectingthe lower end of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidablydisposed in said slots and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars,vertically disposed guide rods secured to said block within said housingand slidably received in apertures in said cross bar, compressionsprings received on said guide bars between-saidblock and said cross barto urge said cross bar and said sidebars upwardly, said block havingopposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed ineach bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses forreceiving said plungers to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting barin raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposedin said recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitatemovement I of said members inwardly to move said plungers out of saidrecesses and permit downward movement of saidsidebars and stirrupsupporting bar to lowered position. 5. A retractable stirrup supportingdevice comprising a generally rectangular elongated hollow housing hav-,

ing a frontwall and a rearwall and sidewalls, each sidewall having anelongated slot, a block closing the lower end of said housing andprojecting outwardly of said sidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardlyfrom each end of said block to provide vertically disposed channels, avertically movable sidebar slidably disposed in each channel, a stirrupsupporting bar connecting the lower ends of said sidebars below saidblock, a crossbar slidably disposed in said slot and connecting theupper ends of said sidebars, vertically disposed guide rods secured tosaid block within said housing and slidably received in apertures insaid crossbar, resilient means disposed between said block and saidcrossbar to urge said crossbar and sidebars upwardly, said block havingopposed bores in the opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed ineach bore, said sidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses forreceiving said plungers to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting barin raised position, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed,in said recesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitatemovement of said members inwardly to move said plungers out of saidrecesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrupsupporting bars to lowered position.

6. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generallyrectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwalland sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closingthe lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of saidsidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said blockto provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebarslidably disposed in each channel, a'stirrup supporting bar connectingthe lower ends of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidablydisposed in said slot and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars,resilient means disposed between said block and said crossbar to urgesaid crossbar and sidebars upwardly, said block having opposed bores inthe opposite ends, a spring pressed plunger disposed in each bore, saidsidebars having opposed inwardly opening recesses for receiving saidplungers, to lock said sidebars and stirrup supporting bar in raisedposition, inwardly movable plunger engaging members disposed in saidrecesses and finger engaging means on said members to facilitatemovement of said members inwardly .to move said plungers out of saidrecesses and permit downward movement of said sidebars and stirrupsupporting bar to lowered position.

7. A retractable stirrup supporting device comprising a generallyrectangular elongated hollow housing having a frontwall and a rearwalland sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongated slot, a block closingthe lower end of said housing and projecting outwardly of saidsidewalls, spaced ears projecting outwardly from each end of said blockto provide vertically disposed channels, a vertically movable sidebarslidably disposed in each channel, a stirrup supporting bar connectingthe lower ends of said sidebars below said block, a crossbar slidablydisposed in said slots and connecting the upper ends of said sidebars,resilient means disposed between said block and said crossbar to urgesaid crossbar and References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Bull Aug. 20, 1889 Long Aug. 11, 1896

